Finally a phone call from the DME.  He hopes to come here this Wednesday with my equipment.  Seems I dont get many choices though.  He's bringing an Autoset (autopap) with heated humidifier and Swift nasal pillows.  Due to my dust mite allergy I asked him if a hepa filter was available for this and he said no.  I also asked him about mask replacement being every 3 months and was shocked to learn that I dont get a new mask until after the rental agreement is over and the actual purchase kicks in, which I believe wont be for 9 months or so :(  Has anyone else ran into this?

Linda (roseinpa57)

Hey which auto machine did you get. I just received my autoset vantage today and I am also using the swift mask:) My benefits cover a mask replacement once every 12 months and a cpap unit once every 5 years!
Debbie

Hi Debbie

Quite frankly I dont know which autoset my DME is bringing.  He's supposed to have called me this morning to arrange a time for this afternoon and still no phone call :(   I read your post on the sleep apnea topic.  So wonderful to hear that you got a good nights sleep.  I can only hope that I"ll adapt to it as well as you did!!  

Linda (roseinpa57)

Hey, thanx:) I am curious, your dme didn't let you pick which machine and mask you wanted? Or give you any options?
Debbie

cornpop16 wrote:

Hey which auto machine did you get. I just received my autoset vantage today and I am also using the swift mask:) My benefits cover a mask replacement once every 12 months and a cpap unit once every 5 years!
Debbie

Does anyone know what benefits Medicare part B provides?  I am also getting a supplemental policy.  I am going on Medicare this Saturday, but have found from sad experience that somehow all the loopholes in coverage really are not detailed in the books.

Thanks -- Judy

Debbie,

As far as machine....nope no choice there.  Apparently the prescription was written for an Autoset so I guess I'm getting whichever one they carry.  As far as masks....I told him I'm claustrophobic so right away he said Swift nasal Pillows.  I questioned him on a few others and he did carry the Breeze pillows.  But since I'm often ending up on my back sleeping that wouldnt work for me.  When I suggested NasalAire, he strongly discouraged it.  From what I could tell it sounds like he only brings what he needs to.  And apparently I can't try one, then another, etc.  This may be a problem, or not, since during my cpap titration they tried 3 different masks on me and none worked well enough for me to even sleep.  I only had 2 DME's in this area to choose from, and had contact with the other and ruled them out right away since they wouldnt even supply an Autopap unless I paid cash for the whole thing!   As a consumer I'm very disappointed in the way the DME's and insurance work with sleep apnea patients (at least in this area).  Even though the insurance is paying for the equipment, its us who pay the insurance premiums, hence in the long run we're really paying for it ourselves.  It should be easier then it is!  The problem I see with only getting one mask in a period of 9 months or so is that if that mask doesnt work for me, then I go without therapy for all of those months to wait for a new mask as I can't afford purchasing them on my own.  

Sorry I started to vent again.  I really am trying to be good!

Linda (roseinpa57)

Well, got my stuff!  I received the Resmed Autoset Spirit pressure 4 - 20 with Swift nasal pillows.  I found the Swift pillows fairly comfortable, not at all claustrophobic and both the pillows and autopap are VERY quiet.  I'm anxous to give them a try tonight.  

Couple of questions.  The DME didnt provide very good answers.  I thought  that I'd be able to see my results daily in the display, however the DME says no.  Apparently they set it up that it can only be downloaded at their site??  I'm sure I"ll have alot more questions once I start using it.  

I'm off to go read my owners manual  

Hey! I also use the swift nasal pillows and I have had no problems with that mask as of yet:) Just remember to clean the nasal part daily..I use the citrus cleaner that my dme gave me! works well   Keep me updated on how your first night goes
Happy sleeping,
Debbie

Hello, I am a newbie as well to this sleep apnea thing and will be seeing my Respiratory Therapist for the first time on Monday to pick up my CPAP machine as well. She mentioned on the phone it would be the autopap, so I am kind of scared of all this right now. Any comforting information would be helpful. I will let you know which type of CPAP I end up with and maybe you can help me from there a little with questions I may have? It sounds to me that you both are failure new at this too?


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Howdy everyone. I hope you are having a wonderful day!!!

HI silly and welcome to the forum.  Yes, I still consider myself new to this.  My autopap therapy is still going fairly well.  I was petrified of the whole thing too.  Hang in there, it's not all as bad as I thought it to be!  It's interesting in the morning to see what pressure the autopap went up to during the night.  I've found my pressure has been much lower then originally prescribed during my titration, but then again during my titration I had very little sleep.  I often strap on the mask as I first get into bed and then watch a little tv.  This gives me time to decide if there are any leaks and to get my nasal pillows in the most comfortable position.    Interestingly the autopap seems to give me a higher pressure while awake then asleep......Dave...any comments on that?  So I've found the quicker I fall asleep the better !!  I woke this morning to find my pressure at 6.  Possibly this is due to losing 10 pounds since my 1st sleep study.  I'm very happy with my autopap and am hoping that they'll let me keep it especially since my pressures seem to change nightly!  

When you get your machine, make sure that you get the humidifier with it.  The slight humidity really does make it a more comfortable air.  Do you know what kind of mask you'll be getting?  Keep us updated on your progress!

Linda (roseinpa57)